April Foals

I had a bit of fun yesterday. Using a bogus Twitter account, scheduled posts and Photoshop, I set about plugging Noah’s Arkfest – a biblical weekend comprised entirely of animal related acts. All the main elements were there: headline teases, spamming, stretching the limits of what is relevant. Incidentally, that Noah film had its premiere the previous week, and this time of year lends itself to obscure festival rumours. I particularly enjoyed sharing ‘Arkfest’ with my pals and watching them suss it out. Well done to those who did, sorry to those who didn’t.

The trouble with promoting an imaginary festival is that the ideas fruit in your head, and you realise what a shame it is the thing isn’t real. Imagine it: great animatronic elephants stomping around to Bonono, Reel Big Fish performing a secret set on the Jungle Stage, people wearing Primark onesies and not looking stupid. All this and more, sealed and approved by Red Bull’s corporate stamp. It’s almost worth a grassroots campaign.

Truth be told this was more a lesson in Twitter than anything. I had yet to sink my teeth into it, and this was the sort of sandbox I needed to play around on. By my own admission I am too cautious with social media, and this little exercise might have eased all that. Time will tell.